Fires have been affecting major infrastructures such as ministries in Conakry, Guinea. Investigations are underway, but the concern among the populace has given rise to various rumors. Authorities are referring to it as “sabotage.”
What is happening in Guinea?
For several weeks now, fires have been gradually consuming infrastructures across the capital. Ministries, markets, state institutions… Fires, fortunately without any fatalities, have been occurring every week since last month, always targeting sites considered crucial for the country.
Just last Monday, the office of the Minister of Culture was engulfed in flames. The presidency has even labeled these incidents as “sabotage actions” aimed at undermining the efforts made by the CNRD junta.
Before the Ministry of Culture, fires have notably broken out in an equipment depot of EDG, the state-owned energy company, at Madina market, the country’s economic hub, and in a tanker parking lot.
Ongoing Investigations
According to the civil defense, which battled against five fires in a single day earlier this week, nearly half (40 to 50%) of the incidents are attributed to antiquated electrical installations. However, the presidency’s communication, as aired on the state TV channel RTG, favors the conspiracy theory: “Series of sabotage actions are orchestrated, targeting sensitive locations directly impacting the daily lives of the population, in hopes of creating chaos. But all in vain.” The Republic’s Prosecutor assures that investigations are underway to determine the source of the flames.
Abdoul Sacko, the national coordinator of Social Forces, comprised of unions and civil society actors, offers a different perspective: “The first hypothesis suggests that the CNRD is admitting its inability to govern the country. This same opinion questions whether this is not a strategy to divert the population’s attention from the essential goal of restoring constitutional order. There is cause for concern. Unfortunately, no meaningful action is being taken to elucidate these fires. It’s total silence,” he laments.
Repeated attempts to contact the Minister of Justice by Weafrica24 have gone unanswered.